Spurs 104, Celtics 92: Duncan delivers a lesson

Wednesday

Feb 12, 2014 at 10:18 PMFeb 12, 2014 at 11:06 PM

By Scott SouzaDaily News staff

BOSTON — Future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan turned back the clock and turned the lights out on the Celtics Wednesday night at TD Garden in the final game before the All-Star break.The 38-year-old Duncan, who was winning championships when the Celtics' crunchtime frontcourt of Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk was in elementary school, continued his remarkable season of resurrection at the expense of Boston with 25 points and nine rebounds in 35 minutes of a 104-92 victory.He hit 8-of-14 shots, and masterfully maneuvered around whichever defensive formation Celtics coach Brad Stevens threw at him, as he added one more Garden clinic to his long and storied NBA resume."He kind of put it on his shoulders," Stevens said. "He wasn't going to be denied. And we don't have great matchups for him — there are not many great matchups when he's going like that in the NBA or in the world."It was quite a lesson for the young Celtics on what one of the league's elder statesman can still do in the NBA, and how far away they are from being able to outduel what for nearly two decades has been one of the league's premiere franchises."It's basketball the way basketball should be played," Stevens said. "It's really a pleasure to watch — unless you're coaching against it."The Celtics were within two possessions of the Spurs on a Rajon Rondo 3-pointer with 6:26 left in the game, but the Spurs ran off the next 11 points and ran away with the game. Boston dropped to 19-35 in its final game before the All-Star break and final home game before next week's NBA trade deadline."I didn't come here thinking that we were going to be struggling like this," said Kris Humphries. "You're a loser if you come in and say this is where we're going to be."Rondo finished with 16 points, including a career-high four 3-pointers, and four assists in 30 minutes to help lead the Celtics. Rondo has seven treys over his last two starts, and 11 through 10 games this season, after hitting just 12 all of last year. His single-season career high is 17.Brandon Bass, who figures to be a prime trade-deadline target for a contender, scored 12 on 5-of-8 shooting, and Jeff Green scored 10 points despite a dreadful, 4-for-17 shooting night.Olynyk led Boston off the bench with 15 points to go with 10 rebounds in his second straight double-double, while Jerryd Bayless had a strong game with 11 points, five rebounds and nine assists and Humphries scored 15 off the bench.Reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week Jared Sullinger saw his double-double streak end at five games as he struggled to score just four points to go with seven rebounds in only 18 minutes."I was a little sick," said Sullinger, who took IVs before the game and arrived late per the order of trainer Ed Lacerte, who told him to stay home and get additional rest. "I'm still feeling it a little bit. I missed a lot of shots. I don't think (the illness) really affected me. I was just a little off in my routine. As a result, I missed a lot of shots that I normally make."

Avery Bradley missed the game with a recurrence of his sprained ankle.San Antonio got things going early in the fourth up three when Boris Diaw delivered a put-back and Patty Mills took advantage of a bad Boston turnover for a three-point play and 76-68 lead 92 seconds into the fourth quarter.The Spurs twice had the lead at nine before Duncan's inside basket stretched it to double digits for the first time since the first quarter at 83-72 with 8:48 to go. The Celtics got back within six on back-to-back Rondo baskets — including his third 3-pointer of the game — for an 85-79 game with 6:26 on the clock.But the Spurs shot right back with consecutive hoops to restore the double-digit lead into a Stevens timeout with 5:26 on the clock — and quickly drew clear from there.What had the looks of an early San Antonio knockout after Boston missed 11 of its first 12 shots, and went down 13-2, turned into a strongly contested first half for the Celtics thanks to their bench.The Boston bench outscored San Antonio's, 25-17, in the half, despite trailing 48-44 at the break.Scott Souza can be reached at 781-398-8006 or ssouza@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @scott_souza.

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